When I was in the third grade at Lacamas Heights Elementary, a new school, Dorothy Fox, opened in Camas. At that time and age, I didn’t realize how that all came about. But now, as I look back on it as an adult, I know exactly what happened – the people of Camas back then, invested in me.
They invested in the students of Camas then and now. It’s humbling to think that a group of people, most of whom had no idea who I was, thought that my educational success was important enough to build a new school. Think about it – complete strangers to me and my schoolmates, invested in us and in our future, and in the future of those still to follow.
That’s truly incredible. But it didn’t stop there; when asked again and again, Camas citizens kept reinvesting through the years in children that they didn’t know, and may not ever know. Every time they responded overwhelmingly by saying yes to Camas schools. Due to their foresight, we now have one of the best school districts in the state. If you are one of those people, I say, “Thank you!”
Now I, we, have been presented with that question once again. Will you invest in the lives of others and this community? Will you rise to the occasion and pay it forward as those who went before you did? I’m proud of this city and its citizens for their care and investment in keeping this community so special day-in and day-out. It’s those selfless acts that we do for one another that personify investment. Of course there are parents who will vote yes in order to benefit their own children currently in and going through the Camas school system. But surely we understand that the community as a whole benefits from a yes vote by all.
Voting for schools has laid a foundation for our safe, family-friendly city, for businesses that locate in this first-class district and attract quality employees who too have chosen to live here in order to send their kids to our schools. Kids who are currently being trained and will grow to be a part of a future and valuable workforce that will, like me, look back and one day say, “Wow, thank you.”
A long time ago Camas citizens invested in me, others, and this community. My hope is that people you don’t even know did the same for you. Voting for schools is a true investment into people’s lives, most of whom you probably don’t know. But the greater investment is realized in our own neighborhoods, community, and this city, both now and in the future.
I’m committed to choosing to step up and keep it going – I’m going to vote yes. Please consider joining me in voting “yes” for Camas Schools on February 9.